Join us for one or more of this three-part series led by chiropractor Dr. Jessica Avery Karns. And pick up a library card for the little one while you’re there — it’s one of the best things you can do for your new baby (not to mention we’re offering a ton of perks to new and existing cardholders right now!).

Prepping Your Body to Make a Superbaby
Saturday, May 4, 10:30 AM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch
Saturday, May 11, 2:00 PM – East Grand Rapids branch

Congratulations, You’re Pregnant! Let’s Make This a Great Experience!
Saturday, May 18, 10:30 AM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch
Saturday, May 25, 2:00 PM – East Grand Rapids branch

The Bundle of Joy is Here: What to Do for Baby and for Momma
Saturday, June 1, 10:30 AM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch
Saturday, June 1, 2:00 PM – East Grand Rapids branch (*changed from original date of Saturday, June 8)

The flood waters came close, but the Englehardt branch in Lowell remained dry this weekend! Staff will be working hard today to put all the furniture and materials back in place, and the branch will reopen at 4:00 today (Monday, April 22).

Thank you to everyone for your patience and well wishes as we dealt with this unprecedented situation.

Due to flooding in the Lowell area, today’s History of Barbie with Afternoon Tea program scheduled for 2:00 PM at the Lowell Township Hall is CANCELED.

KDL’s Englehardt branch in Lowell remains CLOSED on Saturday, April 20. During this time, Englehardt’s book drop will not be accessible. Items may be returned to the Alto, Cascade Township or any other KDL branch. All current HOLDS for Englehardt patrons will be available for pickup at the Alto branch during the Emergency Closing period. (Alto is closed on Fridays, but will be open from 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM on Saturday.)

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Science fiction isn’t really my genre of choice, but I read an awful lot of short story collections and I’m all for supporting West Michigan-area writers. So when I heard about Allen Whitlock’s collection of sci-fi stories titled If I Should Die Before It Wakes, it went directly on my “to-read” list.

This self-published collection of six extremely inventive stories had me repeatedly saying “The imagination on this guy!” Whitlock’s protagonists take the form of a robotic assisted-living caregiver, a marine biologist who discovers how cooperatively one ocean species lives, a vampire with a grudge, and others. The endings of all six stories included twists I did not anticipate, and Whitlock is very good at dialogue.

Whitlock will appear at the KDL Book Bash from 9:30–12:00 PM on Saturday, April 27 at the Comstock Park Service Center along with nearly a dozen other local authors. Stop by and say hello, buy a book, have it signed and be able to say “I knew him when.”

Whitlock’s book is part of the Local Indie @ KDL collection, housed at the Cascade Township and Kentwood branches. It was created to give independent authors, filmmakers and musicians the opportunity to be added to our shelves and to be featured by staff in order to increase viewers, readers and listeners.

Click here to browse our Local Indie @ KDL collection.

Don’t miss out on all the fun and good deals at Book Bash! Not only will the event include a giant warehouse book and media sale, but also a host of free programs for all ages. Sign up for a Grow Happiness Gardening Project taking place at noon on Saturday, April 27. Come join Cindy Wells from Home Depot as she teaches you how to enhance your gardening skills. Each attendee will be entered to win the potted plant that will be made during class!

Book Bash will take place at the KDL Service Center (814 West River Center Dr. in Comstock Park) on Saturday, April 27 from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sunday, April 28 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM.

We hope to see you there!

Due to the threat of flooding, KDL’s Englehardt branch in Lowell will be CLOSED on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20. During this time, Englehardt’s book drop will not be accessible. Items may be returned to the Alto, Cascade Township or any other KDL branch.

Friday morning’s Rhyme Time Music and Movement program at 10:30 AM is CANCELED. However, the History of Barbie with Afternoon Tea program on Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 PM will PROCEED as it is to be held at the Lowell Township Hall (2910 Alden Nash SE).

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

UPDATE (Friday, April 19): The Englehardt branch is still dry thus far. All items on low shelves have been moved as a precaution. All current HOLDS for Englehardt patrons will be available for pickup at the Alto branch during the Emergency Closing period. (Alto is closed on Fridays, but will be open from 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM on Saturday.)

The Kentwood Grows Talent! A Showcase of Music and Poetry program scheduled tonight at the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Following a theme of flowers, the Victorian era and happiness, might I suggest a few activities:

Read: The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh and the nonfiction companion A Victorian Flower Dictionary by Mandy Kirby to learn all about the hidden meaning of flowers.

Watch: Cranford or The Young Victoria to get yourself in the Victorian era mindset.

Listen: Try classical music from the following Romantic composers to fully immerse yourself in the Victorian era: Johannes Brahms, Claude Debussy, or Franz Schubert

Do: Attend the Lily of the Valley is for Happiness program and learn the Victorian language of flowers.  Wendy Batchelder from “Lost Arts” will appear in full Victorian costume to talk about the meaning of flowers while you make a simple tussie mussie to give to someone who makes you happy!  Pre-registration is required.  (For teens and adults)

The Facebook Basics class scheduled at the Plainfield Township branch tonight has been CANCELED due to a staff emergency. Those interested in this class may call 616-784-2007 to register for a future session.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

April is National Poetry Month, and that means KDL is hosting its 10th annual Word Wise teen poetry contest.

Through April 30, teens are invited to submit their original poems online or at their local KDL branch.  Winners will be announced mid-May, and each of the ten winners will receive a $50 gift card to Schuler Books & Music.  The winning poems will be published on the KDL website.  Take some time to check out our teen page for a complete list of rules and an online entry form.

We look forward to reading some great poems.  Happy writing!